The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[delisha]

With all the *stuff* going on we don't want to draw attention or cause conflict. It is better not to bring things up since it is in the rules. Making it bold sort of is a face rub. We have to be careful and respectful.

 

[littlemissstang]

Ok! Here is a picture of our Roo. He is a mix of Rhode Island Red and Black Australorp. He likes to pose for pictures! lol






And here is one of my Partridge's. This is the one that looks really good.






Her sister has been sick since we got them. We have these two still in confinment. They were having clear runny noses and a little sneezing. But, this one has cleared up! But, sadly the other one is still having trouble. I am going to be taking her to the place that the Ag. Dept. wanted me to, so that I can see if she is contagious. They said it didn't sound like it, but to be safe to take her over there. I hope that they have good news for us.

 

[Ashdoes]

I wasn't mentioning the signature change because I saw it to be rather passive aggressive, and I don't want that conflict over here. I can only take so much arguing and woe is me stuff.

I have a question, about feeding the chickens fish. I have some trout in the freezer, that won't be eaten, can I thaw them and just throw them out for the chickens? Or should I cook them?

 

[delisha]

Ok! Here is a picture of our Roo. He is a mix of Rhode Island Red and Black Australorp. He likes to pose for pictures! lol






And here is one of my Partridge's. This is the one that looks really good.






Her sister has been sick since we got them. We have these two still in confinment. They were having clear runny noses and a little sneezing. But, this one has cleared up! But, sadly the other one is still having trouble. I am going to be taking her to the place that the Ag. Dept. wanted me to, so that I can see if she is contagious. They said it didn't sound like it, but to be safe to take her over there. I hope that they have good news for us.

Those sure are pretty!! Good decision about finding about what is going on!! That is great animal husbandry! Your yard looks great too!

 

[littlemissstang]

Thank you! Again, we have just started, so it is pretty clean in the pictures. But, we just got about 3 inches of rain and are suppose to get more Thursday. How do you keep the shavings from clumping up and getting so saturated? I have put some inside the coup and the girls keep kicking them out. lol Now, I have about 2 inches of soaking wet shavings in the pen. Do I need to leave that and turn it every now and then? Or do I need to get it out for my compost pile? Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[delisha]

I wasn't mentioning the signature change because I saw it to be rather passive aggressive, and I don't want that conflict over here. I can only take so much arguing and woe is me stuff.

I have a question, about feeding the chickens fish. I have some trout in the freezer, that won't be eaten, can I thaw them and just throw them out for the chickens? Or should I cook them?

I think they will love you to bits!! I would not even bother with thawing to be honest. They would eat a frozen dead fish on a river bank, why not right out of there beloved owners freezer,,just for them!!
You are such a thoughtful animal lover!

 

[delisha]

Thank you! Again, we have just started, so it is pretty clean in the pictures. But, we just got about 3 inches of rain and are suppose to get more Thursday. How do you keep the shavings from clumping up and getting so saturated? I have put some inside the coup and the girls keep kicking them out. lol Now, I have about 2 inches of soaking wet shavings in the pen. Do I need to leave that and turn it every now and then? Or do I need to get it out for my compost pile? Any suggestions? Thanks!

Just turn them, you never have to remove them. You might have to add to them as time goes along. Toss in some leaves..etc

 

[delisha]

Runny noses can be many things..most people think it is a cold but chickens don't really get colds in the same sense that we do. Most of the time it is an irritation or upper respiratory issue. Does it have an odor? Pick up the chicken and smell by her beak.

 

[littlemissstang]

Ok! I will add some more shavings and some leaves. I already throw in my "scraps" to them. And now with the grass going away, we pull up what we can find and take it to them also. They love it so much that they act like a pack of dogs waiting for a bone! lol Thanks so much for the help! If I can think of anything else, I'll let you know.

And here is a picture of our Cochins...


This was when we first got them, before my husband made their coupe. I'll get better pictures later to show how much they have grown!

 

[littlemissstang]

No, she doesn't have any oder. And no color, just clear like water. Not thick either. I actually thought it might be allergies. And we gave them both antibotics, because they both were doing it, but this one in the picture doesn't have it anymore. I was told in another posting that they are older birds. I'm not sure how old, but would that have anything to do with it?